As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him.
Mark 1:16-18
Grace and peace to you in the Name of Jesus.
Are you a fisher of people? It is of utmost importance that we follow Jesus and become fishers of people. We need to learn how to fish for people for Jesus Our Savior. When reading the above scripture it always amazes me that the first disciples just dropped their nets and followed Jesus. Some translations of verse 17 have Jesus saying, “Come follow me and I will show you how to fish for people”, or “I will teach you how to fish for people.” When the first disciples dropped their nets and followed Jesus - as we read on through the 1st chapter of Mark - we learn how Jesus teaches them how to fish for people. The disciples witness Jesus free a person from demon possession, heal Peter’s mother-in-law, heal many who had various diseases, including a man with leprosy (verses 40-41). The man with leprosy asks Jesus if he is willing to heal him. Jesus reaches out and touches the man and says, “I am willing.” Immediately the man was healed - not just physically, but in his soul. The disciples saw Jesus love a man who was despised and judged for being sick. An untouchable man was touched by grace. The disciples witnessed Jesus ‘fish for people’ with the power of divine love. I pray you are willing to fish for people.
As I observe the world, I can see how millions are being caught by sin, addictions, greed, and hopelessness. We are called by Jesus to fish for people as we follow him. Many are ready to be caught by the love of Jesus and are waiting for us to reach out to them with the Gospel. Here are three suggestions to help you share the love of Jesus.
- Share your story of faith. Nothing works better than your own personal testimony of how God has worked in your life. Think of your ‘God Moments’ that you can share with someone else. Don’t try to tell someone else’s story of faith. Share your own experience of knowing the love of God through Jesus.
- Have a Christlike heart for people. I asked the residents at Beaumont nursing care how do you catch people and one woman quietly whispered to me.... “Pay attention to them”. Jesus looked into the eyes of the man with leprosy, touched him and said “I am willing”. We need to have deep empathy and concern for our neighbors, friends, family members and strangers.
- We must LOVE TO FISH FOR PEOPLE. I can sense that the Holy Spirit is transforming people within the church in a most profound way. People are joyful in reaching out to others and are happy to serve! I was amazed at the number of joyful people within our church family who gave blood recently. There were smiles everywhere as we knew that our very blood would save lives. I was told, when I gave a ‘double red’ amount of blood, that it would help babies and those battling cancer. A joy filled me as I believed God could use me to help someone in need. In our church we like to understand the joy of fishing for people through a ‘needs based evangelism’. The love of fishing for people is contagious. We must commit this new year to fishing for people with the saving grace of Jesus. I invite you to share your story of faith, have a Christlike heart for others and a deep love to fish for people. Your Christian compassion will bring miracles to this hurting world.
We will be having a winter POTLUCK SUPPER - on Tuesday, February 7, from 6pm-8pm. Please make plans to break bread together and to enjoy the warmth of Christian fellowship.
We will also be celebrating our 2nd Annual Sonshine Sunday on February 12. You are invited to wear bright and shiny clothes - like Hawaiian Shirts - to the morning services. The brighter the better! Let us bring some SONSHINE to this winter season. We will seek to transform the sanctuary into a sea of brightly colored, joyful followers of Jesus!
Please wear those clothes that you rarely wear because they are so BRIGHT and COLORFUL! There will be a special gourmet Sonshine Sunday lunch after the 10:30am service (11:45am). Please RSVP to the church office if you plan to attend. All are welcome!
Many thanks to all who submitted a devotion that will be included in our FUMC Lenten Devotion booklet. This is a special daily devotional for the Lenten Season (from Ash Wednesday on February 22 to Easter Sunday on April 8) that is comprised of devotions from our church family. These will be given out on Sunday, February 12.
Please make plans to begin the Lenten Season with our Ash Wednesday service on February 22 at 7pm. We will journey together to Holy Week and Easter as we adopt the spiritual disciplines of daily prayer, Bible reading, fasting and good works.
Winter can be a difficult time for many people. I hope I can see you in church and participating in all that is offered. God will bless your desire to walk a closer walk with Jesus.
We need everyone to answer the call to be fishers of people. There is someone right now whom you know well that you can share your story of faith and invite them to church with you. February is the month we celebrate Valentines Day. May you share the greatest love of all with everyone you know - the love of Jesus! As the little girl on Focus on the Family commercial said during the Patriots-Broncos game - “John 3:16.....Wow!”
Let us all regain the love of fishing for people with the love of Jesus. Amen!
In Christian Love,
Pastor John
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